Mar 31, 2026

Study: Dishwashing Liquid Reduces Solar Panel Efficiency, Advises Against Use

Research from the University of Turku has identified a specific household cleaning agent that can impair solar module performance. The investigation assessed the suitability of common cleaning products for maintaining photovoltaic panels.

The study found that most household cleaners, including glass cleaner and isopropanol, are appropriate for the task and do not negatively affect the light transmittance of module glass. Dishwashing liquid, however, was a notable exception. This product was shown to alter the optical properties of anti-reflective coated solar panel glass.

Scientists observed that while the dishwashing liquid likely does not cause permanent damage to the coating, the transmittance of glass cleaned with it did not recover to its original level, even after the glass was rinsed. They noted that a visually clean surface does not guarantee optimal light transmission.

The experiments involved immersing glass fragments from an unused silicon solar panel in various cleaning solutions for an extended period. In tests on unsoiled glass, all other chemicals improved transmittance, while dishwashing detergent reduced the peak measurement by approximately one percent. When cleaning glass soiled with cultivated algae, the detergent left the transmittance peak nearly four percent lower than samples cleaned with more suitable agents.

Analysis confirmed the antireflective coating itself remained intact after cleaning. The researchers concluded that cleaning impacts the surface evenly and that power output decreases in proportion to the loss in optical transmittance. On average, the transmittance for soiled glass cleaned with dishwashing detergent was about three percent lower compared to glass cleaned with the best-performing agents, suggesting a similar impact on power generation.

The research group has now begun investigating soiling caused by snow accumulation in Nordic conditions, where significant solar radiation coincides with high electricity demand in late spring. This recent work follows other international findings that some widely used photovoltaic cleaning agents can damage anti-reflective coatings, underscoring the importance of product selection to prevent long-term performance loss.

This report provides a comprehensive view of the detergents and washing preparation industry in Finland, tracking demand, supply, and trade flows across the national value chain. It explains how demand across key channels and end-use segments shapes consumption patterns, while also mapping the role of input availability, production efficiency, and regulatory standards on supply.

Beyond headline metrics, the study benchmarks prices, margins, and trade routes so you can see where value is created and how it moves between domestic suppliers and international partners. The analysis is designed to support strategic planning, market entry, portfolio prioritization, and risk management in the detergents and washing preparation landscape in Finland.

Quick navigation

Key findings

• Domestic demand is shaped by both household and industrial usage, with trade flows linking local supply to imports and exports.
• Pricing dynamics reflect unit values, freight costs, exchange rates, and regulatory shifts that affect sourcing decisions.
• Supply depends on input availability and production efficiency, creating a distinct national cost curve.
• Market concentration varies by segment, creating different competitive landscapes and entry barriers.
• The 2035 outlook highlights where capacity investment and demand growth are most aligned within the country.

Report scope

The report combines market sizing with trade intelligence and price analytics for Finland. It covers both historical performance and the forward outlook to 2035, allowing you to compare cycles, structural shifts, and policy impacts.

• Market size and growth in value and volume terms
• Consumption structure by end-use segments
• Production capacity, output, and cost dynamics
• Trade flows, exporters, importers, and balances
• Price benchmarks, unit values, and margin signals
• Competitive context and market entry conditions

Product coverage

• Prodcom 20413240 — Surface-active preparations, whether or not containing soap, p .r.s. (excluding those for use as soap)
• Prodcom 20413250 — Washing preparations and cleaning preparations, with or without soap, p.r.s. including auxiliary washing preparations excluding those for use as soap, surface-active preparations
• Prodcom 20413260 — Surface-active preparations, whether or not containing soap, n .p.r.s. (excluding those for use as soap)
• Prodcom 20413270 — Washing preparations and cleaning preparations, with or without soap, n.p.r.s. including auxiliary washing preparations excluding those for use as soap, surface-active preparations

Country coverage

Country profile and benchmarks

This report provides a consistent view of market size, trade balance, prices, and per-capita indicators for Finland. The profile highlights demand structure and trade position, enabling benchmarking against regional and global peers.

Methodology

The analysis is built on a multi-source framework that combines official statistics, trade records, company disclosures, and expert validation. Data are standardized, reconciled, and cross-checked to ensure consistency across time series.

• International trade data (exports, imports, and mirror statistics)
• National production and consumption statistics
• Company-level information from financial filings and public releases
• Price series and unit value benchmarks
• Analyst review, outlier checks, and time-series validation

All data are normalized to a common product definition and mapped to a consistent set of codes. This ensures that comparisons across time are aligned and actionable.

Forecasts to 2035

The forecast horizon extends to 2035 and is based on a structured model that links detergents and washing preparation demand and supply to macroeconomic indicators, trade patterns, and sector-specific drivers. The model captures both cyclical and structural factors and reflects known policy and technology shifts in Finland.

• Historical baseline: 2012-2025
• Forecast horizon: 2026-2035
• Scenario-based sensitivity to income growth, substitution, and regulation
• Capacity and investment outlook for major producing companies

Each projection is built from national historical patterns and the broader regional context, allowing the report to show where growth is concentrated and where risks are elevated.

Price analysis and trade dynamics

Prices are analyzed in detail, including export and import unit values, regional spreads, and changes in trade costs. The report highlights how seasonality, freight rates, exchange rates, and supply disruptions influence pricing and margins.

• Price benchmarks by country and sub-region
• Export and import unit value trends
• Seasonality and calendar effects in trade flows
• Price outlook to 2035 under baseline assumptions

Profiles of market participants

Key producers, exporters, and distributors are profiled with a focus on their operational scale, geographic footprint, product mix, and market positioning. This helps identify competitive pressure points, partnership opportunities, and routes to differentiation.

• Business focus and production capabilities
• Geographic reach and distribution networks
• Cost structure and pricing strategy indicators
• Compliance, certification, and sustainability context

How to use this report

• Quantify domestic demand and identify the most attractive segments
• Evaluate export opportunities and prioritize target destinations
• Track price dynamics and protect margins
• Benchmark performance against leading competitors
• Build evidence-based forecasts for investment decisions

This report is designed for manufacturers, distributors, importers, wholesalers, investors, and advisors who need a clear, data-driven picture of detergents and washing preparation dynamics in Finland.

FAQ

What is included in the detergents and washing preparation market in Finland?

The market size aggregates consumption and trade data, presented in both value and volume terms.

How are the forecasts to 2035 built?

The projections combine historical trends with macroeconomic indicators, trade dynamics, and sector-specific drivers.

Does the report cover prices and margins?

Yes, it includes export and import unit values, regional spreads, and a pricing outlook to 2035.

Which benchmarks are included?

The report benchmarks market size, trade balance, prices, and per-capita indicators for Finland.

Can this report support market entry decisions?

Yes, it highlights demand hotspots, trade routes, pricing trends, and competitive context.